Prognosis of severe lower respiratory tract infected patients with virus detected: a retrospective observational study

Abstract

Objectives To compare the prognosis of severe lower respiratory tract infected patients with virus detected and patients with virus undetected by using metagenomic sequencing technology and a series of traditional serological tests. Methods A total of 51 consecutive lower respiratory tract infected patients were enrolled in this study and samples were obtained to perform metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and other traditional tests for virus detection. According to the results, patients were divided into a virus-detected (VD) group and a virus-undetected (VUD) group. Meanwhile, patients’ demographic information, relevant baseline indicators and outcome indicators were also collected. Results There were 27 patients in the VD group and 24 patients in the VUD group. Patients in the VD group had a longer mechanical ventilation (MV) supporting time [528.0 h (216.0, 997.0) vs 235.5 h (119.3, 421.3), p = .003], a higher tracheotomy rate [(63.0 vs. 29.2%), p = .016] and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion rate [(66.7 vs. 33.3%), p = .017] compared to the VUD group. The two groups had no significant difference in mortality rate, hospital length of stay (HLOS) or ICU length of stay (ICULOS). Conclusions Virus detected in patients with severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) was not related to a poorer prognosis, but patients in the VD group did need more clinical resources, such as more MV support and RBC transfusion.